Unveiling Nordic Design Excellence: Stockholm's Independent Showcases
A Collective Showcase of Emerging and Established Talent
The Stockholm Creative Edition, hosted at Industricentralen on Hudiksvallsgatan, served as a crucial platform for both nascent and seasoned designers. This exhibition brought together innovative studios and individual creators, including Public Studio, Studio Navet, Niklas Runesson, and Pernille Knudsen, all united by a spirit of experimentation. A notable highlight was the collaboration between Interesting Times Gang and Shimber, which explored circular design through the "Kelp" chair and "Shelf Life" furniture, crafted from oyster-shell biocomposite and coated with Shimber's wood-based surface. This initiative aimed to make design accessible to a broader audience, fostering a dialogue between international and local design enthusiasts, as articulated by founders Ulrika Kjellström Attar and Philippe Attar.
The "Echo" Exhibition: A Dialogue of Forms and Expressions
Making its debut in 2026, the "Echo" exhibition carved out a significant space for diverse design ideas and expressions. It showcased a curated selection of innovative projects from both seasoned and emerging design practitioners. Among the compelling exhibits was Staffan Holm's "Tilt" stool, an embodiment of minimalist design promoting "active sitting" through its unique convex and concave forms. Additionally, Fredrik Paulsen's Joy Objects unveiled the "Oy Chair One Alu & Pantera," a fresh take on their original "Chair One," featuring a recycled aluminum frame and a playful bubblegum-pink seating made from 100 percent recycled plastic, demonstrating a striking contrast between industrial structure and vibrant color.
Svenskt Tenn's "Standing Tall": Reimagining a Classic
For its spring presentation, Svenskt Tenn celebrated the legacy of iconic designer Josef Frank with "Standing Tall," a reimagined version of his "Cabinet 522" from 1934-1935. This new iteration honors Frank's dedication to tactile materials, featuring upholstery in exquisite horse-hair fabric woven by John Boyd Textiles in England, available in black or white, and supported by elegant mahogany legs. This launch marked Svenskt Tenn's first furniture introduction since its centenary in 2024, reinforcing its commitment to timeless design and artisanal craftsmanship.
"The Building": A Fusion of History and Contemporary Nordic Design
Set within a magnificent 17th-century palace, meticulously redesigned by architect Ragnar Östberg in the early 20th century, "The Building" presented a curated selection of leading Nordic design brands. Participants included String Furniture, Gemla, Grythyttan Stålmöbler, Källemo, ateljé Lyktan, Made by Choice, and Haha studio, each presenting distinctive displays. Beyond these established names, the exhibition also shone a light on seven promising emerging designers, with notable contributions such as Simon Skinner's innovative lamps, Malin Perre's cloud-inspired sculptures, Truls Goldschmidt's linear furniture, Gabriela Stencova's luminous lamps, and Nils Askhagen's chairs, celebrated for their unique visual textures.
Layered's "Lozza" Collection: Functional Artistry by Erik Bratsburg
The "Lozza" collection by Layered, conceived by artist and designer Erik Bratsburg, emerged from a practical challenge: addressing wine stains on a restaurant rug. This initial problem evolved into a comprehensive exploration of form, color, and functionality. Each rug in the collection boasts three distinct tones and two colorways, designed to complement both warm and cool interiors. The lighter outer edges aim to visually elevate a room, while deeper tones toward the center add depth and character. Bratsberg emphasizes the collection's inherent flexibility, stating, "The irregular shape provides far more flexibility than a traditional rectangle and introduces a gentle sense of motion. I've always been drawn to sculptural forms that feel instinctively right rather than perfectly symmetrical. When the lines fall into place, something happens immediately – a kind of harmonious balance you can't calculate."
Carl Hansen & Søn: Expanding Iconic Collections and Introducing New Classics
Carl Hansen & Søn enriched the unofficial design week with three significant new releases. The first was an expansion of their "Outdoor Series," featuring the "Embrace" outdoor lounge table and chair designed by EOOS. These pieces elegantly balance perfection and imperfection, from their meticulously crafted wooden frames to their comfortable, relaxed upholstery. In another presentation, the design house unveiled the "ND550F" footstool, a reinterpretation of Nanna and Jørgen Ditzel's 1955 design. The new version boasts lower, more angled legs and a fully hand-upholstered curved seat. Furthermore, Carl Hansen & Søn introduced a medium-sized "Tulip Pendant," an addition to the "Elegant" series by Marianne Tuxen. Originally designed for the Carlsberg Academy in Copenhagen in 2022, this pendant features a mouth-blown, three-layered opal glass shade that diffuses a soft, ethereal glow alongside a focused downward beam.
NK Interior's "Stay Curious": A Celebration of Swedish Contemporary Design
Kadi Harjak, CEO of NK Interior, curated the "Stay Curious" exhibition in the Ljusgården entrance hall, envisioning it as a vibrant hub where Swedish contemporary design could connect with a broader audience. The exhibition showcased personal works by Malin Pierre, Niklas Runesson, Nick Ross, and Gustav Winsth. Additionally, display windows featured designer Mimmi Blomqvist’s "Forest" installation, while Lisa Hilland’s new collection, "Harvest," drew inspiration from nature. Other highlights included Pia Wallén’s "Flacons" glass study, alongside new releases from design studio Sekt and interior brand Cappelen Dimyr, all on display until March 2, 2026, fostering a spirit of exploration in materials, techniques, craftsmanship, and local production.
Nordic Nest: Celebrating Design Heritage and Future Icons
Nordic Nest, a prominent Scandinavian design platform since 2002, presented two compelling showcases for Stockholm Design Days. The first, at Gallery Existens, honored the centenary of Verner Panton's birth, featuring licensed works by brands like Montana, Louis Poulsen, and &Tradition that are currently in production. The second showcase, "Icons of Today and Tomorrow," delved into contemporary collections and novelties for 2026. This exhibit, featuring Montana, Louis Poulsen, &Tradition, as well as Ferm Living and Flos, presented a diverse range of lighting, furniture, tabletop items, and objects. By juxtaposing new releases with enduring designs, Nordic Nest underscored the evolution of products driven by material innovation, cultural relevance, and longevity, rather than fleeting seasonal trends. As CEO Bank Bergström articulated, their goal is to establish a platform where Scandinavian design is not only showcased but also critically discussed, challenged, and made accessible, ensuring its cultural, commercial, and temporal reach.
NO GA (Nordiska Galleriet) Unveils NMNG: Architectural Language in Furniture
Nordiska Galleriet introduced "NMNG," a new collection of tables and chairs designed by the Italian studio NM3. This series, comprising three dining tables (one round and two rectangular) and a chair, is distinguished by its strong architectural language. NM3, known for its affinity for industrial systems and minimalist aesthetics, crafted each piece with precise proportions and visible construction. For this collaboration with Nordiska Galleriet, the studio ventured into working with wood for the first time, imbuing the pieces with unique character and crisp lines. Nicolò Ornaghi of NM3 explained, "We try to create modernist designs, made by architects. Our design is system-based rather than object-based. It always starts from a language, with a clearly defined set of rules."